Missouri Valley College Hall of Fame

1958-1959 MVC Football Team

The 1958 Football Team finished the regular season undefeated with a perfect 8-0 record. The Vikings were chosen to play in the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Florida against East Texas State College. The Vikings could not contain the powerful East Texas State Lions beyond the third quarter and lost a 26-7 decision on a playing field turned into a muddy quagmire. The Vikings completely outplayed the Lions in the first half but trailed in the scoring column, 12-7. Mel Rogers was credited with the lone Viking TD with Ray Mosey booting the extra point. Little Ray Ricono did a tremendous job guiding the team’s offense and Dan Stanley, leading scorer and ground-gainer, was extremely difficult to halt. Ends Guy Malone and Don Kalthoff had exceptionally good games while the defensive standouts were Larry Hall, Bob Keeton, George Clemens, and Ronnie Hall. That year, Ken Asbury and Guy Malone were Co-Captains. Once again the Missouri Valley College football team, under the excellent leadership of Coach Volney Ashford finished another highly successful season. Nine players were chosen to the MCAU All-Conference Team. Coach Ashford was chosen to coach the Little College All-American Team in the All-American Bowl Game in Tucson, Arizona. Ronnie Hall and Larry Hall both of Missouri Valley College were All-Americans chosen to play in that game. This season saw three Vikings chosen by pro teams, a tremendous precedent for a small college football team. Larry Hall was chosen by the Green Bay Packers; Ronnie Hall chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Ken Asbury to the Chicago Bears.